Apolo and Sala Apolo are located in the Theatre district of Paral·lel and have been rocking the beat on the Barcelona music scene for years. Booked as a live venue for artists such as Paul Weller, the grungy old theatre serves as a perfect backdrop for the alternative crowd. This is also one of the venues selected for the warm-up parties for some of the summer festivals such as Primavera sound and the Sonar music festival. Mid-week sees Flamenco and Rumba sessions, as well as the “Nasty Mondays” night which has earned its fame on the circuit. Sala Apolo is located on Nou de la Rambla, number 111- just across the main Paral·lel Avenue.
Just a short stroll away from Apolo, and perhaps a place to start the night, or definitely on the way there is London Bar. London Bar is an institution in the city (as bears the Council floor plaque to boot) and has been serving up impromptu concerts and great bands for the old town residents for decades. London bar is a narrow and deep bar, with Becks on tap (one of the few places in town), friendly owners and staff and great music crammed in on a weekend. Expect anything from a 2 piece guitar combo to a full brass swing band. London Bar is also on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, number 34.
If Jazz is your thing, then you can do no wrong visiting Jamboree – housed inside Plaça Reial, halfway down the famous Las Ramblas street. With such greats as Ella Fitzgerald having graced the stage, this underground jazz club is much more trendy and touristy on a weekend, but mid-week still pulls the jazz crowd in and Jamboree has won several awards for its eclectic mix of acts. Another ace in the pack is the Harlem Jazz club, located in the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, and host to some of the best jazz fusions in town, including Brazilian, Gypsy, Cuban, Swing and just about anything else you can imagine. Free entrance apart from Tuesdays and weekends, when the entrance fee will also get you a drink at the bar. Located on Comtessa de Sobradiel, number 8 in the Gothic Quarter.
Moving out of town slightly, to the industrial estate of PobleNou, and Razzmatazz looms over the neighbourhood bars. With 5 nightclubs in 1, Razzmatazz is the usual venue for breakthrough bands which haven’t quite made the grade in Spain – who then usually return to play bigger venues. Think Coldplay, Keane, Travis – all played late in the year and then came back the following summer to headline in the sports Arenas and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium. That’s not to say that there isn’t some great local and international music, too. Located on Carrer Pamplona, number 88.
Another place worth a mention is Sala Bikini, located just below the Avenida Diagonal, on Carrer de Deu I Mata, number 105. Whilst the venue is fairly small, there’s plenty of room for rock, and this has seen the likes of Supergrass wail out to the locals and always has a packed calendar with some of the funkiest live music around.
